Mitch Daniels Is the Man in This Girl's Life

Students for Mitch--as in Mitch Daniels, the Republican governor of Indiana and possible White House aspirant--thinks it's airing the first 2012 presidential campaign ad in Iowa, as it announced earlier today. But it's not. Fred Karger, a Republican presidential candidate/GOP strategist/ex-Reagan staffer/gay-rights activist,already aired one.

Filming at Yale University, this young Mitch Daniels supporter tells the camera that she "met this guy a couple years ago. He told me he was different, he bought me a car, he even subsidized my medical insurance. ... turns out he was spending all of my money.

"Now there's a new man in my life: Mitch Daniels. He doesn't need to rely on fancy rhetoric or empty promise."

The ad will debut during the Pro Bowl this Sunday, airing in Des Moines. Students for Mitch says it's also purchased air time in New Hampshire and Indiana. Daniels has not announced whether or not he's running, but he's viewed as a back-bench candidate who could gain traction.